Are 50cc or 125cc scooters built to withstand long-distance travel?

Hi... I will start with saying that I know NOTHING about scooters. I have two general questions to support a specific need.

I am planning an extended trip this summer to Europe where I plan on traveling up to 10,000 miles across the continent on a scooter (but only averaging about 100 miles per day).

I plan to travel mostly coastal routes, so I will be avoiding the major mountain ranges. I would prefer to use a 250cc+ scooter but will most likely be limited to a 125cc or possibly even a 50cc scooter (50cc = restricted to 28mph).

I don't mind going slow, so speed is not the issue... distance is the issue. Sorry for the long story... here are my general questions:

1) Besides routine maintenance, are modern day scooters designed with the quality and reliability to endure this type of long-distance travel?

2) Is a trip like this even possible on a 50cc scooter? (again ? I don't care about speed)

Thanks... Keith

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Comments for Are 50cc or 125cc scooters built to withstand long-distance travel?

Probably to late to get an answer.
me and my mate have cheap chinese 50cc air cooled scooters. we are planning on going on a trip just for some fun, most we will cover in a day is 60 miles. im hopping they will make it. do you think its worth it ???

plus i hav no idea how to look after my scooter other then clean it and check oil ,can you give me tips if possibe.

Sep 23, 2012Rating

Pappy's vacationNEWby: Anonymous

I rode my Honda Zoomer across France this summer
2000km no probs, inc crossing the Massif Central and French Alps

Google Pappys vacation across France
Pappy

Oct 07, 2011Rating

Trip Photosby: Keith

Thanks Jose, I'm a believer now. I went with a 125cc Piaggio (actually ended in Portugal and sold it at the campground) and did over 7000KM. My trip report and photos are here: http://www.moto-maps.com/featured_rides/europe_at_37mph/europe_at_37mph.html

This year, I bought a 125cc Yamaha Majesty in Warsaw and took it to Istanbul, Turkey - then Italy, France and Germany (photos soon, I hope)

regards, Keith

Oct 07, 2011Rating

Yes!by: TodayAdventure

Answer to both questions is a simple YES! Pick a good quality scooter, keep it well maintained and it will bring you to wherever you want.

I'm from Portugal and I have a 50cc 3.8 horse power scooter and have made three summer trips. Asturias (Spain), Morocco and Scotland. ZERO problems. I still use the scooter every day. It has 22.000 kms on the clock. Other long distance trips are planned. Check the videos: http://todayadventure.blogspot.com/

José.

Jan 03, 2011Rating

50ccby: Anonymous

I have 50cc Yamaha Bws and have ridden that from Nottingham to Skegness (160 miles round trip) and Nottingham to Hull that was 200 mile round trip and enjoyed the journey alot and the bike is fantastic.

Sep 27, 2010Rating

Love to Hear All About Itby: Kathi

Hi Keith... Great to hear about your successful trip and new love of scooters! We'd love to see your pictures and hear all about it.

Recently returned after 2 months on the Piaggio Hexagon 125cc. Went from the Baltic Sea to Morocco Africa... and a lot of places in between. Only spare part was a spark plug which I changed in Barcelona.

I'm turning into a huge scooter fan - bought a Piaggio Fly 150 when I got back - and I'm riding it more than my motorcycle!

I'd post pictures here, if I know how.

Regards, Keith

Sep 26, 2010Rating

Scooter Long Ditance Ride by: Bikemonkies

If travel is in a normal speed which does not give the scoot long period of high rev, Yes, even a 50cc scoot can withstand a long distance journey...

A friend of mine did it with a Yamaha Vino 50cc scooter riding 1500+ km across the Borneo in 40 hours non-stop.....

Aug 01, 2010Rating

Koreaby: Anonymous

I paid $400 for a Guerilla 50cc scooter. Its Chinese, I think. I ride it about 30k a day, no problems. I'm taking it up the east coast of South Korea about 200 miles (400 round trip), starting this morning.

It goes about 40mph, and since it's a coastal cruise, and I'm on vacation, I'm not in a hurry. I'm confident it will make the journey with no problems! I'll let you know how it goes, but these 50cc scooters run forever. Check it out...

www.gmpryb.blogspot.com

Jun 29, 2010Rating

Thanksby: Keith

Hi Folks,

Thanks for your help and suggestions. I ended up finding a used, 2000 Piaggio Hexagon 125cc 2-stroke at a good price. I'm in the Czech Republik now (purchased in Germany) and have about 1400km on the clock with this trip. Thing runs great and is solid up to 100kph fully loaded with me and all my gear.

Jun 05, 2010Rating

Different Bagby: Jim Zeiser

In Europe you will encounter a different selection of scooters to choose from than here. I would imagine that given the choices available you would find suspensions that would be more comfortable for all day riding. There are more Italian made scooters, I've heard French brands can be had and, obviously, Japanese scooters are available. Since scooters are more popular there you could probably pick up a used one easily that has been well taken care of.

Jun 04, 2010Rating

Buddy 125 owner saysby: Anonymous

I have heard the Buddy is a little hard on the butt. There,I said it. For long rides. I own a 125 cc Buddy and I haven't tested others, but I have heard suspension is not that good given the small tires, hard suspension. nevertheless, people ride... Your choice. I don't know about other scooters.

Jun 04, 2010Rating

Yesby: Anonymous

The right brand the answer is yes.
Honda is the best.
I have ridden my Reflex 300 miles a day for eight days stright and most of the time 70 mph.

Jun 04, 2010Rating

Perhaps...by: Kathi

Hi Keith... Great question! I'll take a stab at answering this, but if there are any 50cc owners reading, please chime in...

I drive a 125cc Genuine Buddy scooter, and though I haven't done any long distances on it yet, there was a lady who was doing a cross country US tour the year I bought mine... on a Genuine Buddy just like mine. She drove thousands of miles on it, apparently happy.

Personally, I think it might get tiring to be on a scooter all day long, day after day, but I could be wrong.

When you're done here, you may also be interested in reading some of these popular pages:

A battery tender like the Battery Tender Jr. can make all the difference in whether your scooter will start right up each spring, after being stored for months.

Just about every scooter owner needs to have a battery tender, sometimes called a trickle charger. Unless you are lucky enough to live in a climate where you can ride all year long, chances are your scooter will be put on ice, figuratively-speaking, for at least a couple months every winter.

One of the key steps in winterizing a scooter is to protect your battery from draining during its "rest" period. This can – and will – happen if you leave your battery sitting untended in your cold scooter over the winter, even if it's in a garage or shed.

The Scooter Life

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